Modular table



Sept. 19, 1967 M. w. SHETTLES 3,342,147

MODULAR TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1966 INVENTOR MACK WSHETTLES magi? ATTORNEYS p 96 M. w. SHETTLES 3,342,147

MODULAR TABLE- Filed April 12, 1966 v FIG. 8

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Huu- INVENTOR MACK W SHETTLES ATTOR NE YS United StatesPatent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Modular tables of a size that wouldnormally accommodate a single person, and of a shape such that a similartable can be positioned adjacent thereto, locked into position, so thatthe two adjacent tables virtually form a single surface.

Background 0 the invention In accommodating a plurality of people at atable, it is not unusual to encounter difficulty in finding a table orcombination of tables that will seat the people in a desirabledisposition. The problem is further complicated by the fact thatoccasionally the number of people to be seated is not ascertained untilthey arrive on the scene. When utilizing the conventional rectangulartables 'or round tables in such circumstances, the problems involved areusually that the tables do not fit the room in which they are used; gapsare present between adjacent tables, and a few of the people seated atthe tables are forced to straddle the legs of adjacent tables. Also, theaddition of a few extra people may cause the use of a face than actuallyneeded by the few people, and the usual standard dimensions ofrectangular tables limit the particular number of arrangements thatmight be formed with the tables.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, this invention comprises a modulartable, or a plurality of modular tables, that are positionable adjacenteach other and capable of being attached to each other so as to create aplurality of various shaped rigid table surfaces. The particular shapeof an individual modular table is that of an equilateral triangle andthe locking elements of each table are positioned adjacent the angleformed between adjacent sides of the table. The

locking elements take the form of a pivotal latch that, when pivoted toits unlatched position, is retained beneath the table to which it isattached and, when pivoted to its latched position, is received in thelatching element of an adjacent table, so as to connect adjacent tablesto each other.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a table that ispositionable adjacent another table so that the two adjacent tables forman extended table surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tableshaving latching elements connected thereto that connect the tables toeach other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tables ofsimilar shape that are positionable adjacent each other to form varioustable surface arrangements.

large additional table which creates a much larger sur- Another objectof this invention is to provide a plurality of tables, each table takingthe shape of an equilateral triangle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a triangular shaped tablehaving latching elements adjacent the apex of each angle thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of tablesthat are positionable adjacent each other so as to form a table surfaceof various sizes and shapes so as to conform with the boundaries of aroom in which the tables are located.

Another object of this invention is to provide a table surface, theshape of which is adaptable to various room situations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a modular table that iseconomical to manufacture, convenient to use, and adaptable to variousroom arrangements.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following specification, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of themodular table with a center support.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the modular table, similar to FIG. 1,but showing a corner support.

FIG. 3 is a bottom schematic View of a plurality of modular tablesarranged to form a straight table surface.

FIG. 4 is a bottom schematic view of a plurality of modular tablesassembled to form a six-sided table sur face that accommodates a singleperson at each side.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a plurality of modular tables assembled in amanner so as to form a six-sided table surface of a size to accommodatetwo persons at each side.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a latching element in its open or unlatchedposition, showing the manner in which it is fastened to a table.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the latching element shown in FIG. 6, adjacenta cooperating latching element, showing the latching element in itsclosed or latched position.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a series of latching elements shown in theirlatched or closed positions.

Description of the embodiments Referring now more particularly to thedrawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout theseveral views, FIG. 1 shows a table 10 of a triangular configurationhaving sides 11a, 11b, and of equal length, defining angles 12a, 12b,and 12c therebetween. The table takes the shape of an equilateraltriangle having equal angles between sides of equal length. The table 10is supported by a center post 14 which is supported by outwardlyextending legs or spokes 15a, 15b, and 15c. The spokes can be locateddirectly beneath the angles 12 of the table to afford maximum balancecharacteristics to the table or they can be disposed intermediate theangles 12 of the table so the person seated at the table will normallystraddle one of the spokes.

Referring to FIGS. 68, a latching element 16 is attached to theunderside of the table 10, adjacent one edge 11b thereof. The latchingelement 16 comprises a support portion 18 and a pivotal connectingportion 19.

The support portion 18, as seen in FIG. 8, is substantially rectangularin shape and has an apertured flange portion 20 adapted to be positionedadjacent the underside of the table 10. The flange portion 20 has aplurality of apertures 21 therein so that conventional wood screws 22can be inserted therethrough and screwed into the underside of the table10. The support portion 18 also comprises a body portion 24 extendingdownwardly from the flange portion 20, defining a recess 25 in a portionthereof remote from the edge 11b of the table 10. The recess 25 iscylindrically shaped at its innermost portion 26, and tapered at 2'7,outwardly of the innermost portion 26. The innermost portion 26 of therecess 25 contains a magnetized substance 28 therein.

The support portion 18 of the latching element 16 further comprises apair of downwardly extending flanges 30 at opposite edges thereof. Theflanges 30 are apertured at 31 to support a retaining pin 32, extendingbetween the flanges 30. The pivotal connecting portion 19 of thelatching element 17 comprises a stem 34 having a base 35 defining anaperture 36 therein adapted to surround the retaining pin 32 of thesupport portion 18. The stem 34 terminates at its end opposite from thebase 35 in a double-ended head 38. Each side of the double-ended head 38conforms in shape to the recess 25 of the support portion 18. Thedouble-ended head 38 has a tapered portion 39 that conforms to the shapeof the tapered portion 27 of the recess 25, and a cylindrical portion 40that conforms in shape to the cylindrical innermost portion 26 of thesupport portion 18.

The stem 34 of the pivotal connecting portion 19 is of a length so thatwhen the double-ended head 28 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG.6, one side of the doubleended head will fit snugly into the recess 25of the support portion 18 of the latching element. The magnetizedsubstance 28 inside the innermost portion 26 of the recess 25 tends toretain the pivotal connecting portion 19 in the position as shown inFIG. 6.

As is shown in FIG. 8, the latching elements 16 are positioned so thatthe center of the recess 25 is located near the apex of an angle betweenadjacent sides of the axis about which the pivotal connection portion 19pivots,

is disposed in a vertical plane extending through the edge of the table.In this manner, the pivotal connecting portion 19 will pivot to itsclosed or connecting position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, so that itreaches beyond the edge of its table a distance equal to its length.Inasmuch as each latching element 16 is located in a similar manner oneach table, the pivotal connecting portion 19 of one latching elementwill pivot into the recess 25 of an adjacent support portion of anadjacent latching element when adjacent tables are positioned with theirsides adjacent to each other and with their ends aligned with eachother, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Of course, since the recess 25 of eachlatching element 16 contains a magnetized substance 28, when the pivotalconnecting portion 19 of a latching element 16 is pivoted to its closedor latching position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the magnetizedsubstance 28 will tend to retain the pivotal connecting portion 19 inits latched or closed position.

In order to facilitate easy removal of the pivotal connecting portion 19from the recess 25 of its support portion 18, or from the recess 25 ofan adjacent support portion 18, a tab 41 is provided that extends in adirection substantially normal to the extension of the stem 34. The tab41 enables a person to insert his finger between the tab and the tableto force the pivotal connecting portion 19 of the latching element 16away from the magnetized substance 28 of the recess 25.

When the latching elements 16 are attached to the underside of thetables 10, they are all positioned so that they extend in one generaldirection with respect to the table; that is, when facing away from theupper surface of the center of the table toward one of the anglesbetween the side portions thereof, the latching elements are oriented onthe underside of the table so that when the pivotal connecting portionis extended so as to be in its closed or latched position, it extendsoutwardly from the left edge of the table, and its tab 41 extends in adirection toward the angle between the side of the table.

Each table has three latching elements connected to the undersidethereof, one latching element being disposed near the apex of the anglebetween the sides of the table. With this arrangement, when the pivotalconnecting portion 19 of each latching element 16 is pivoted to itsclosed or latched position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each side of thetable will have a single pivotal connecting portion extending therefrom.When the tables are assembled in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS.3-5, the latching elements 16 will function to connect adjacent tablesto each other. By the arrangement of the latches, one may join any sideof any table to any other side of any other table.

Operation FIG. 3 shows the underside of a plurality of table surfacesarranged to form a single elongated table surface. The tables 51-59 areshown with their latching elements in their closed or latched positionso as to attach the tables to each other. For instance, table 51 has itslatching element 51a shown in its extended position, extending from theright edge of the table (as viewed from the bottom of the table) to showhow this latching element would function if there were another tableadjacent to table 51 to be latched thereto. Of course, since there is notable for latching element 51a to engage, it would normally bemaintained in its retracted or unlatched position, as shown in FIG. 6.Since the table 52 is disposed adjacent table 51, and the latchingelement 51b is positioned to open in the direction from table 51 towardtable 52, the pivotal connecting portion of latching element 52a isremoved from its recess and the pivotal connecting portion of thelatching element 51b is pivoted to its latching or closed position; thatis, latching element 51b is pivoted so that it fits down into the recessof the latching element 52a so as to attach table 51 to table 52 in thevicinity of the latching elements 51b and 52a. Of course, since there isno table adjacent the edge of table 51 toward which the latching element51c operates, the pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 510will be removed from its recess and allowed to hang or dangle beneaththe bottom surface of the table 51.

The pivotal connecting portion of the latching element 520 of table 52is pivoted to its latched or closed position so that it is received inthe recess of the latching element 510 of table 51. Of course, thisconnects table 52 to table 51 in the vicinity of latching elements 510and 520. However, since the edge of the table 52 toward which thelatching element 52b operates is not adjacent another table, the pivotalconnecting portion of the latching element 52b will be removed from itsrecess and allowed to dangle beneath the table 52, in the manner similarto latching element 510 of table 51.

Of course, to connect tables 52 and 53 to each other, the pivotalconnecting portion of the latching element 53a of the table 53 isremoved from its recess and the pivotal connecting portion of latchingelement 52a is inserted therein, and the pivotal connecting portion oflatching element 53c is received in the recess of the latching element52b of table 52. This attaches tables 52 and 53 to each other at twopoints, near the ends of the common sides of the tables. This assures afirm connection between the adjacent tables.

Tables 53-59 are identical to tables 51 and 52, and are connected toeach other in an identical manner, as is shown in FIG. 3. Of course, afirm connection is made between each adjacent table by the latchingelement so that there is no danger of the tables being misaligned, or ofgaps appearing between adjacent tables.

Because of the tapered portions 27 and 39 of the recess 25 and thedouble ended head 38, respectively, the double ended head is guided intoits position in the recess 25 when assembling the tables. This functionsto perfectly align adjacent tables. if the double ended head 38 isproperly received in its recess.

As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tables of the instant invention can beassembled in various manner to meet the requirements of the situation.For instance, FIG. 4 shows six tables assembled so that they form asix-sided table surface. The tables 61-66 are assembled so that each hasone of its angles adjacent the center of the table surface formed by theplurality of tables, two edges thereof each being adjacent an adjacenttable, and the third edge forming an outside edge of the table surfaceformed by the table. The latching element of each of the tables 61-66nearest the center of the table surface formed by the tables 61-66 aremoved to their latched or closed position so that they engage the recessof the latching element next adjacent thereto. For instance, theconnecting portion of latching element 61a is pivoted so as to bereceived in the recess of the latching element 66a, the pivotalconnecting portion of the latching element 66a is pivoted so as to bereceive-d in the recess of the latching element 65a, the pivotalconnecting portion of the latching element 65a is pivoted to be receivedin the recess of the latching element 64a, and so on, until a completecircle is made by the pivotal connecting portion of each of the latchingelements of the adjacent table. This, of course, creates a firmconnection between each of the tables 61-66 at their inner portions,near the center of the table surface created by these tables.

Each of the tables 61-66 are connected to their next adjacent tables bythe latching elements disposed outwardly from the center of the tablesurface formed by these tables. For instance, the pivotal connectingportion of latching element 61b is received in the recess of thelatching element 62c; the pivotal connecting portion of the latchingelement 62c merely hanging or dangling vertically from the lower surfaceof the table 62c. The pivotal connecting portion of the latching element62b is received in the recess of the latching element 63c; its pivotalconnecting portion also hanging downwardly from the bottom surface ofthe table 63. The remaining tables 63-.

61 are connected to each other in a similar manner. Of course, thetables 61- being connected to each other at two places along eachadjacent side creates a firm con nection between the tables so thataccidental displacement of one table from an adjacent table is virtuallyimpossible. Furthermore, if the tables of FIG. 4 are connected to eachother only by the outer latching elements, the inner latching elements6111-6611 remaining open, the tables 61- 66 will be firmly connected toeach other.

FIG. 5 merely shows another method in which the tables can be assembledwith firm connection being maintained between each individual table, toform a continuous table surface. While the particular manner ofconnection between individual tables is not shown in FIG. 5, it shouldbe understood that the latching elements shown in FIGS. 6-8 would alsobe adaptable to this particular arrangement of tables.

While the tables have been shown with a center post supporting the tablesurface, it should be understood that other leg supports can be utilizedwithout destroying the versatility of the tables. For instance, thespokes 15ac can be disposed intermediate the sides of the table so thata person sitting at the table will straddle the spokes. Also, FIG. 2shows [a table 68 having a single vertical support 69 extendingdownwardly from one corner thereof, and outwardly extending spokes 70and 71 extending 6 away from the vertical support 69 at angles thatcorrespond to the edges of the table adjacent the corner from which thevertical support 69 extends. With this arrangement, accidental tippingof the table surface 68 would be unlikely. Also, while a single centerpost and a single corner post have been shown (FIGS. 1 and 2) it shouldbe understood that other support arrangements can be utilized withoutdestroying the versatility of the invention. For instance, verticalsupports could extend downwardly from the corner of the table. The onlycriterion that must be maintained with the various supports desired tobe utilized with the table is that space be present to .properlyposition the latching elements adjacent edges of the table.

While the invention has been disclosed with latching elements adjacentevery corner of each table, it should be understood that it is notbeyond the scope of this invention to construct the tables with latchingelements attached to less than all of the corners of the tables or toconnect less than all the latches to each other. As applied to FIG. 4,it can be seen that if tables 61-66 had only the latching elements61a-66a connected thereto that the tables 61-66 would have asubstantially firm connection therebetween, in spite of the absence ofthe remaining latching elements. Inspection of FIGS. 7 and 8 show thatthe flat adjacent edges of the tables is such that a single couplingbetween the tables is enough to prevent adjacent tables from parting dueto the expanse of adjacent edges of the tables mating with each other.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations maybe made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating thepresent invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined bythe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A plurality of tables of equal size and each formed with a triangularequilateral surface, means for connect ing said tables to one anothercomprising a latching element disposed adjacent at least one anglebetween adjacent sides of each table, said latching element including asupport portion attached to the underside of its table, said supportportion defining a recess therein, a pivotal connecting portionincluding a stern pivotally connected to said support portion at a pointthereof remote from said recess, said stem terminating in a head havingopposite sides each of a size and shape corresponding to the size andshape of said recess, said stem being of a length to pivot said head sothat one of its sides is received in said recess, said latching elementbeing disposed with its recess centered on a line bisecting the angleformed by converging edges of said table and with said pivotalconnecting portion pivotal about an axis disposed in a vertical planeextending through one edge of said table.

2. A plurality of tables, means for retaining said tables to one anotherincluding at least one metallic latching element connected to the bottomof the table surface, magnetized means connected to the bottom of thetable surface inward of the table edge for retaining said latchingelement in a retracted position beneath the table surface or formaintaining the latching element of an adjacent table in a latchedposition whereby adjacent tables are connected to one another.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said tables are formed withtriangular surfaces and each edge of said tables includes at least oneof said magnetized means for connecting adjacent ones of said tables toone another.

4. A plurality of tables each including a generally horizontallydisposed table surface and connecting means for connecting said tablesto one another so that their table surfaces are disposed in abuttingrelationship, said connecting means comprising at least one latchingelement connected to the bottom of the table surface of each tableadjacent an edge of the table, receiving means connected to the bottomof each table surface inwardly of the edge of the table, and magneticmeans for main- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Saveland 297-248Boyle.

January.

Harrington.

Rizzuto 108--150 8 7/ 1946 Butler 108-64 11/1954 Trafford 108-64 8/1961Kobrin 108-64 9/ 1962 CheslOW 10864 FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1922 Austria.

11/ 1956 Denmark. 2/1957 Germany. 2/ 1949 Great Britain.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

1. A PLURALITY OF TABLES OF EQUAL SIZE AND EACH FORMED WITH A TRIANGULAREQUILATERAL SURFACE, MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID TABLES TO ONE ANOTHERCOMPRISING A LATCHING ELEMENT DISPOSED ADJACENT AT LEAST ONE ANGLEBETWEEN ADJACENT SIDES OF EACH TABLE, SAID LATCHING ELEMENT INCLUDING ASUPPORT PORTION ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF ITS TABLE, SAID SUPPORTPORTION DEFINING A RECESS THEREIN, A PIVOTAL CONNECTING PORTIONINCLUDING A STEM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT PORTION AT A POINTTHEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID RECESS, SAID STEM TERMINATING IN A HEAD HAVINGOPPOSITE SIDES EACH OF A SIZE AND SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO THE SIZE ANDSHAPE OF SAID RECESS, SAID STEM BEING OF A LENGTH TO PIVOT SAID HEAD SOTHAT ONE OF ITS SIDES IS RECEIVED IN RECESS, SAID LATCHING ELEMENT BEINGDISPOSED WITH ITS RECESS CENTERED ON A LINE BISECTING THE ANGLE FORMEDBY CONVERGING EDGES OF SAID TABLE AND WITH SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTINGPORTION PIVOTAL ABOUT AN AXIS DISPOSED IN A VERTICAL PLANE EXTENDINGTHROUGH ONE EDGE OF SAID TABLE.